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THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM
Marking the Passion, Death — and Resurrection — of Jesus Christ on Campus
Each year the students of Thomas Aquinas College mark Holy Week with a three-day retreat, interwoven with the sacred liturgies of the Easter Triduum, to contemplate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord. A new photographic slideshow chronicles this year’s liturgies in all their sorrow and splendor: Fr. Buckley humbly washing students’ feet on Holy Thursday, the darkening of the Chapel for Tenebrae, veneration and Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and the glories of the Easter Vigil — complete with the baptism of a junior who has just entered the Church!
Full story and slideshow 
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THE COLLEGE IN THE NEWS
A Round-Up of Recent Stories
The Sunday, March 17 edition of the CBS Evening News featured a story, “American Catholic Youth on Pope Francis,” filmed entirely at Thomas Aquinas College. The report included interviews with two students, footage of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, and video and photographs taken on campus when the world first met the new Holy Father. The story, which highlighted the students’ optimism about the new pope, is available on the College’s website.
The resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and the subsequent election of His Holiness Pope Francis, generated significant media attention for the College from its local newspaper, the Ventura County Star. The paper interviewed sophomore Andrew Meluch (’15) and Dean Brian T. Kelly for its first story following Pope Benedict’s resignation. During the conclave, it published a second story about students at the College who were fasting for the next pope. That fast proved to be short, however, and following the quick election of Pope Francis, the Star interviewed Dr. Kelly for third story, this one gauging the reaction of area Catholics.
In other news, La Nacion, a Costa Rican newspaper, published a story about Thomas Aquinas College, praising the “deep spiritual life” of the College’s students. “The objective of the [academic program],” the story notes, “is to arrive at the truth by one’s own means, which is the main factor in a better formation of the human person. It trains the student to take in the particularities of the daily life, which, as we all know, demands constant guidance.” An English translation of the article is on the College’s website.
Finally, the Catholic News Agency has published a review of The Church Building as a Sacred Place, a new book by Duncan Stroik, the architect of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. The review, which stresses the need for beauty in sacred architecture, includes a photo of the Chapel’s sanctuary.
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IN MEMORIAM
James L. Barrett, 1927 – 2013
The College mourns the loss of a dear friend and the former vice chairman of its Board of Governors, James L. Barrett, who died on March 14. With his wife, Judy, Mr. Barrett was the owner and operator of the Chateau Montelena winery in Napa, Calif. He was also a benefactor of the College since its early days. Over the years, the Barretts gave generously to the annual scholarship fund as well as to the construction of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. In 1992, Mr. Barrett joined the Board of Governors, serving as vice chairman from 2004 to 2008, and retiring in 2010, at which time he was named an Emeritus member.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Thomas Aquinas College might not be here today, were it not for Jim Barrett,” says President Michael F. McLean. “He and Judy have been extraordinarily generous to the College with their time, their counsel, and their financial support. We miss him greatly, and we pray for his eternal rest and the consolation of Judy and the family.”
Full story
Dr. McLean remembers Mr. Barrett
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FAITH IN ACTION BLOG
Alumni in the Church and the World
The Faith in Action blog is a running report about the good works of Thomas Aquinas College alumni. Recent news on the blog includes:
• A video trailer for Diary of a Country Mother, a new book by Cynthia (Six ’77) Montanaro that chronicles the life of her beloved son Tim. The book reflects a yearlong journey of prayer and meditation, begun about six months after Tim’s death in 2005 at the age of 15.
• A post about Dr. S. Adam Seagrave (’05), a professor of political science at Northern Illinois University, who has written a thoughtful article for The Public Discourse about the present state of the pro-life movement. Dr. Seagrave argues that the movement has much to learn from the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
• A column by Sean Fitzpatrick (’02) in Crisis magazine that looks forward to the pontificate of Pope Francis by looking back at the life of Saint Francis.
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PLAY SHERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB!
The Seventh Annual Thomas Aquinas College Golf Classic
On June 3, the historic Sherwood Country Club in Westlake Village, Calif., will be the site of the seventh annual Thomas Aquinas College Golf Classic, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Board of Regents. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Sherwood is considered one of America’s premier golf courses. With various levels of competition, the Thomas Aquinas College Golf Classic provides a delightful outing for golfers of all skill levels. Proceeds benefit the more than 70 percent of Thomas Aquinas College students who require financial assistance to afford the gift of a Catholic liberal education.
More information
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